Welcome To Amputee Care Center
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Osseointegration is a surgical technique in which an implant is anchored directly into the remaining bone of an amputated limb. The term comes from the Latin words os (bone) and integrare (integrate).
Through an opening in the skin (stoma), the prosthetist can connect your arm prosthesis or leg prosthesis to the bone implant, eliminating the need for a prosthetic socket.
After an osseointegration procedure for amputees, it is essential to choose an experienced and specialised prosthetist to manufacture your new osseointegrated leg prosthesis or arm prosthesis. There are several orthopaedic centres in the Netherlands and Belgium that have expertise in fitting and fabricating prostheses for osseointegration patients. ACC - Amputee Care Centre by Spronken - specialises in advising, fitting and customising arm and leg prostheses, including osseointegration prostheses, with locations in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Contact us by completing the Contact Form or by calling +32 (0)470 500 888.
We are at your service.
The Amputee Care Center by Spronken (ACC) offers various types of leg prostheses and arm prostheses, including osseointegration prostheses, and works closely with doctors and practitioners.
The osseointegration implant you received in hospital provides a direct attachment point for your arm prosthesis or leg prosthesis. We fine-tune your prosthesis and connect it to the connection piece (the connector). This will firmly connect the artificial limb (the prosthetic components) to the bone.
Osseointegration has been in development for more than 30 years and is increasingly used in university hospitals thanks to impressive results and continuous innovations. At Amputee Care Center, we have extensive experience with osseointegration prostheses and are ready to guide you, with the right arm or leg prosthesis, every step of the way.
Leg prostheses and arm prostheses that connect to an osseointegration implant have two main advantages over traditional prostheses:
One of the most common complaints with ‘traditional’ arm prostheses and leg prostheses is the discomfort that a prosthetic socket can cause. The socket can sometimes cause skin irritation due to friction and pressure points, as well as cause problems in warm temperatures (sweating and skin rashes). The stump may swell, increase or decrease in volume, causing the socket not to fit properly, causing problems. A prosthesis without a socket (an osseointegrated prosthesis) offers a solution for these complaints.
An osseointegrated prosthesis feels like a natural extension of the body. This can make you walk more naturally and efficiently, but also provides so-called better ‘proprioception’. This means you have a better sense of how you move and how the prosthesis behaves because the force is transferred directly to the bone.
Osseointegration has been a breakthrough in amputation orthopaedics and has improved the quality of life of countless amputees. However, complications such as infection, implant rejection or bone loss can occur.
Infections after osseointegration usually occur due to the open connection between the implant and the outside world (the stoma), which can give bacteria access through the opening in the skin. Infection occurs in 5-30%, with mild infections more common than severe, deep infections. Prevention through good hygiene, wound care and antibiotics is crucial.
It is important to be well informed about the possible risks and complications of osseointegration, so that you can make an informed decision before choosing an arm prosthesis or leg prosthesis without a socket.
An osseointegration prosthesis is not suitable for everyone. It is very important to have your body carefully assessed by a multidisciplinary team of experts before opting for this surgery. You may be eligible for osseointegration if:
You can come to us for a second opinion, before or after your osseointegration surgery. A personalised approach is crucial. Our second opinion centre can help you by providing an independent and expert opinion on your current situation and treatment options. Our experts often offer new insights, confirm or refine the treatment plan and give you more certainty about your choices. They can also recommend alternative solutions or specialised practitioners, if necessary.
During the free introductory consultation at Amputee Care Center, we will discuss your personal situation and goals together. The experts at our prosthesis centre will help you by designing a well-fitting osseointegration prosthesis that optimally fits the bone implant and is comfortable during use. Our experts provide guidance on getting used to the new osseointegration prosthesis, including gait training and advice on loading and maintenance. In addition, our team provides regular check-ups and adjustments to address any discomfort or problems in a timely manner.
Contact us by completing the Contact Form or by calling +32 (0)470 500 888.
We are at your service.
During the preparation phase for an osseointegration, we perform a thorough evaluation at our prosthesis centre in Genk, Belgium. At Amputee Care Center, we offer a free gait analysis to map your movement pattern and determine whether an osseointegration prosthesis can add value. We will always give you honest and transparent advice on this.
Choosing a new leg prosthesis after osseointegration depends on your personal needs and activities. Together with your prosthetist, in our ganglab, we look at your gait pattern, weight and daily needs to ensure optimal function of the prosthesis in combination with the bone implant.
Light and functional leg prostheses:
A lightweight osseointegrated leg prosthesis is ideal to minimise the load on the implant and your bones. Choose modular components (such as a knee or ankle module) that are easy to adapt to your mobility level and activities. Prostheses with microprocessor-controlled knees or ankles, such as the Össur Rheo, Power Knee or Ottobock C-Leg, offer advanced stability and movement. These are especially suitable if you have an active lifestyle.
Prostheses for specific activities:
For active users, we design osseointegration sports prostheses or special models for running, cycling or other sporting activities.
The most suitable arm prosthesis for connection to an osseointegration implant depends on your personal needs, amputation level and activity requirements. The prosthetist at the ACC will work closely with your surgeon, rehabilitation doctor or physiotherapist to design an osseointegration prosthesis that fits seamlessly with the bone implant, with a focus on comfort and stability.
It is important to consult with your prosthetist and care team about your specific goals and lifestyle so that your arm prosthesis is tailored to what you need. Regular checks and adjustments are essential to keep the arm prosthesis functioning optimally.
Rehabilitation after osseointegration usually starts a few weeks after surgery, depending on how quickly the bone and tissues around the implant heal.
Recovery varies, but on average it takes 6-12 weeks before the bone implant is fully grown in and you can start using the prosthesis. Only when the implant can be fully loaded is the osseointegrated prosthesis connected and the more intensive part of rehabilitation begins, including gait or use training.
Here, you will learn to use your new prosthesis safely and efficiently. The prosthetists at Amputee Care Center will guide you through the recovery and rehabilitation process and assist you in word and deed. We are there to help you develop a natural way of using and teach you how to take care of the skin around the stoma.
The Amputee Care Center in Belgium specialises and has years of experience in making osseointegration prostheses. Our prosthetists offer personalised solutions for prosthesis wearers from Belgium and the Netherlands considering osseointegration prostheses.
We understand that moving to osseointegration is a big decision. That is why you can come to us for a free, no-obligation introductory consultation. During this meeting, you can ask all your questions about an osseointegration prosthesis over a cup of coffee. We will also analyse your situation, discuss the benefits and risks, and together begin a tailor-made plan.
It is also possible to have your mobility thoroughly evaluated in our prosthesis laboratory. During a (free) gait analysis, you will get a clear picture of whether and how an osseointegration prosthesis could potentially improve your quality of life.
At Amputee Care Center, we combine our many years of experience with a personalised approach to provide you with the best possible care. We are here to support you every step of the way. The osseointegration prosthesis costs are usually fully or partially reimbursed by your mutual insurance company or insurance. As ACC, we are a recognised prosthetic supplier and partner of almost all insurers in Belgium and the Netherlands. We can therefore advise you on osseointegration prosthesis reimbursements. We will help you by taking the reimbursement application process off your hands, so that you are relieved of any worries.
Would you like to know more about your personal prosthetic options after osseointegration? Then contact us at Amputee Care Center in Genk (Belgium). We are ready to help you with this important step towards a more comfortable and active life. Schedule a free introductory consultation and discover how an osseointegration prosthesis can change your life.
Contact us by completing the Contact Form or by calling +32 (0)470 500 888.
We are at your service.
Below are the most common questions and answers about osseointegration prostheses. If your question is not listed, please contact us for an informal discussion.
Osseointegration after amputation is an orthopaedic technique in which the surgeon anchors a titanium implant directly into the bone of the stump, allowing the implant to grow firmly into the bone. This bone implant serves as the attachment point for a leg prosthesis or arm prosthesis, providing a direct and stable connection, greater comfort and improved functionality compared to traditional prosthetic sockets.
By an osseointegration prosthesis, we mean a leg or arm prosthesis that, via a bone implant, attaches directly to your bone, eliminating the need for a prosthetic socket to connect the prosthesis to your arm or leg stump.
The implant, usually made of titanium for its bio-compatibility, forms a solid and durable connection to the remaining bone. A transcutaneous (through the skin) connector is attached through a small opening in the skin, called the stoma. This connector (socket) allows you to connect your leg prosthesis or arm prosthesis directly to the bone implant, eliminating the need for a prosthetic socket.
Osseointegration can be applied to amputations of the:
The orthopaedic surgeon anchors an implant directly to the bone. Through an opening in the skin (stoma), this allows your leg prosthesis or arm prosthesis to be attached directly to this implant. An osseointegrated prosthesis usually offers more comfort and mobility than a leg prosthesis or arm prosthesis with a traditional prosthetic socket (socket).
Spronken is a NEN-EN-ISO 13485-certified supplier of orthopaedic equipment. Over the past 60 years, Spronken has grown into one of the largest companies in the fields of orthoses, prostheses, mobility and state-of-the-art rehabilitation equipment in Europe.
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